May 04, 2014

Mavs top free agents all want to return

SAN ANTONIO -- After their season ended Sunday with a thud, the Dallas Mavericks top free agents were asked to address their offseason intentions.

The major players for the Mavs who will become free agents on July 1 include Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Vince Carter, Devin Harris and DeJuan Blair. Following the 119-96 loss to the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7 of a first-round playoff series, Marion was less interested in talking free agency and more interested in wanting to visit his son, who was born a few hours after Game 5 of this series.

"We have talked about stuff like that,'' Marion said of free agency. "We've got a while until July 1.

"I'm going to relax a little while. I'm going to see my son.''

Blair, who signed a one-year deal with the Mavs last summer, believed he showed enough for Dallas to seriously consider re-signing him again this coming summer.

"I think I did a good job doing that this season and this series,'' Blair said. "I just worked hard and played like I know how.

"Hopefully I can come back to Dallas and we can get another shot at it.''

When asked if he'll sign a two, three or four-year contract with the Mavs this summer, Nowitzki said it's too early to even think about that. Meanwhile, Carter and Harris said they would love to return and play for the Mavs.

"I wanted to show my teammates, the organization, Mavs fans that I love this game,'' the 37-year old Carter said. "I'm going to play hard and do whatever I need to do to win.

"The age thing means nothing to me because my desire and my love for the game shines through. I hope my play takes care of the other stuff. I will let that play out throughout the summer.''